Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11708)
The short title of Republic Act No. 11708 is the "Metropolitan Davao Development Authority Act."
The State adopts a national dispersion through regional agglomeration strategy to revitalize large cities and expand their physical and service areas for urban service delivery, considering rapid urbanization and interdependence of Davao City and neighboring LGUs, creating a special development and administrative region known as Metropolitan Davao.
The MDDA is a special body created to coordinate and promote socioeconomic growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao. It exercises powers and functions under the law without diminishing the autonomy of the local government units (LGUs).
The MDDA has jurisdiction over Davao City; the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) in Davao del Norte; the City of Digos in Davao del Sur; the City of Mati in Davao Oriental; the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sulop in Davao del Sur; Carmen in Davao del Norte; Maco in Davao de Oro; and Malita and Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental, including any future cities and municipalities created within this area.
The MDDA provides services that cross political boundaries such as development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, flood control and sewerage management, urban renewal and land use planning, health and sanitation, pollution control, and public safety.
The MDDA formulates aligned development plans, sets policies on traffic and waste management, prepares and manages metropolitan-wide programs, reviews and recommends development permits with metro-wide impacts, monitors project implementation, administers traffic laws including a single ticketing system, prescribes fees and fines, determines compensation for its personnel, and performs other lawful functions.
The Council is the governing board and policymaking body of the MDDA composed of the Regional Development Council Chairperson of Region XI, governors of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental, city mayors of Davao, Mati, Tagum, Digos, IGaCoS, and Panabo, municipal mayors of Carmen, Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, Sulop, Maco, Malita, and Sta. Maria, and heads of regional offices of national agencies as non-voting members.
The Council approves development plans and projects, issues necessary regulations, manages allowances of members, recommends investment programming, coordinates with the Department of Transportation on public utility vehicles franchises, approves MDDA budgets for submission to DBM, and performs other duties consistent with the Act.
An ordinance or resolution must be posted on the bulletin board at the MDDA office and two other conspicuous places within ten (10) days after approval and will take effect fifteen (15) days after posting. Ordinances with penal sanctions must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation and take effect fifteen (15) days after publication.
The Chairperson appoints all subordinate officers, executes policies approved by the Council, manages day-to-day operations, prepares the annual budget, submits necessary measures to the Council, fixes staffing and disciplinary actions, prepares an annual accomplishment report, serves as a member of the Davao International Airport Authority Board, and performs other duties assigned by the President or the Council.
The MDPD is a police body under the administrative control and operational supervision of the National Police Commission, headed by a Police Brigadier General. It assumes operational control over local police offices within MDDA jurisdiction, ensures peace and safety, integrates law enforcement capabilities, and coordinates with the MDDA, Regional Police Offices, LGUs, and other agencies in planning and implementing programs.
The MDDA's operation is funded by the annual General Appropriations Act, contributions and technical assistance from member LGUs, national agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, private sector, and other organizations, including grants, donations, fees, fines, and charges. Acceptance of foreign grants or donations requires clearance and approval of the Council and the President based on recommendations from the Secretary of Finance or Foreign Affairs.
The Council is required to promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act to enable its effective implementation.
The Separability Clause provides that if any part of the Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in full force and effect.
All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of the MDDA Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.